Sage-Grouse Gets a Pass: No New Rules Needed in Dakota Prairie
Published Date: 3/21/2025
Notice
Summary
The Forest Service is stopping plans to study new rules for protecting the greater sage-grouse in North Dakota’s Dakota Prairie Grasslands. This change comes because recent actions already protect the bird’s habitat, and the government decided the bird doesn’t need extra endangered species protections. This means no new costs or delays for local land users or energy developers.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
No‑Surface Occupancy Established in 2020
A 2020 Oil and Gas Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement created a no‑surface‑occupancy restriction in greater sage‑grouse habitat on the Dakota Prairie Grasslands. The Forest Service cites that restriction as having removed one of the primary threats to the species.
Withdrawal of Sage‑Grouse EIS Plan Amendment
The Forest Service withdrew its May 21, 2014 notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a Greater Sage‑Grouse plan amendment on the Dakota Prairie Grasslands. The withdrawal was announced in the Federal Register on March 21, 2025, and the agency will not proceed with that EIS or the associated plan amendment.
2015 USFWS Decision: No ESA Protections Needed
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined in 2015 that Endangered Species Act protections were not needed for the greater sage‑grouse. The Forest Service cites that 2015 determination as a reason for withdrawing the notice of intent to prepare an EIS.
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Key Dates
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